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Complications

Authoring team

Possible complications of hypothermia include:

  • pulmonary complications:
    • bronchopneumonia
    • pulmonary oedema or pulmonary hypertension may be induced by rapid rewarming

  • cardiac complications:
    • bradyarrhythmias
    • atrial fibrillation
    • ventricular fibrillation
    • (all types of cardiac arrhythmias are known to occur, the most common being atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation may resolve spontaneously as the patient is re-warmed) (1)

  • metabolic complications:
    • hypercapnia
    • acidosis
    • hypoxia
    • hypoglycaemia

  • gastrointestinal complications:
    • gastric or colonic dilatation
    • possible pancreatitis (2)

  • rigidity of muscles

  • frostbite

  • disseminated intravascular coagulation

References

  1. Lott C, Truhlář A, Alfonzo A, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Cardiac arrest in special circumstances. Resuscitation. 2021 Apr;161:152-219.
  2. Foulis AK. Morphological study of the relation between accidental hypothermia and acute pancreatitis. J Clin Pathol. 1982 Nov;35(11):1244-8.

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